17-18 May 2025
expressive multimedia botanicals
STATUS: BOOKINGS OPEN
In this very special weekend sketching retreat you will be looking at how to create expressive drawings and sketchbook spreads inspired by plants and flowers. We will be using a whole mixture of materials suitable for sketching on paper such as inks, paint, pens, pencils and crayons.
To reserve your space please 'purchase' the £100 deposit by clicking the link below. Once the minimum number of spaces are reserved we will confirm that the retreat will go ahead and you can book your accommodation.
All other T&Cs apply (see below)
As a group we will be looking to nature as our inspiration - painting, drawing and sketching from beautiful leaves and florals. Across the weekend you will be guided through a number of exercises and that are both fun and instructive as well as giving you time to understand the materials we are working with and how to mix them all up! We will have a selection of flowers and leaves to observe directly in the spacious studio setting in a as well as the opportunity to get out and about in the wild in the hotel grounds.
Let’s really explore the beauty of botanicals and find ways that work for you to express yourself in your sketchbook.
Available retreats
Where shall we go to in 2025?
In 2025 I am excited to offer you three fabulous opportunities to sketch and experience new cultures and views.
From 17th - 18th May 2025 I am running a weekend retreat in the UK - Expressive Botanicals. Bookings are OPEN NOW.
In Spring 2025 I am teaching as part of a 10-day Creative Safari in Romania. Bookings are open now.
Then in Sept 2025 I am collaborating with artist Missy Tripp Ronquillo to bring you a boutique experience of sketching and painting in Tuscany. This retreat is ow FULLY BOOKED.
Read on to find out more about these experiences…
23 April - 02 may 2025
Travel sketching in romania
STATUS: BOOKINGS OPEN NOW
In Spring 2025 I am collaborating with Creative Arts Safaris to bring to you a unique combination of sketching and cultural tour in Romania. This retreat is a chance to get your travel sketching mojo back on track as we travel around Romania, taking our sketchbooks with us!
You'll enjoy a guided tour of Bucharest with time to sketch, visits to fairy-tale castles, a UNESCO-listed medieval Fortified Church, and charming towns perfect for Urban Sketching. Plus, you'll savour beautiful countryside views, shared meals with fellow travel sketchers, a traditional egg painting workshop, and home-cooked lunches. We've packed in a lot, yet with plenty of time to relax and sketch in your travel journal!
Bucharest and Romania have a charming, timeless quality. Picture rural villages with quaint timber houses and meadows bursting with flowers. In Bucharest, you'll find stunning Art Nouveau architecture and churches adorned with vibrant, colorful murals. There's so much beauty to take in and enjoy!
07 - 14 September 2025
Ciao Bella! Sketching and Painting in Tuscany
STATUS: FULLY BOOKED
In September 2025 I am collaborating with US artist Missy Tripp Ronquillo to bring to you a luxurious week in Italy exploring the beautiful countryside around Tuscany.
This retreat invites art journal enthusiasts and creative adventurers to capture the moment and fill their sketchbooks with the vibrant life and beauty of Tuscany. Learn to observe and appreciate the small details often overlooked in the rush of daily life.
Explore hidden gems known only to locals, venturing off the beaten path to truly soak up Tuscany with all your senses. Whether it's the bustling streets of a historic town or the serene landscapes of rural Tuscany, you'll find endless inspiration.
This retreat is perfect for those looking to delve into their creative side against an inspiring backdrop. Experience Tuscany in a unique way, learning about the culture while keeping a sketchbook of your journey. Daily sketching and painting sessions, along with workshops on various techniques, will help you capture the essence of Tuscany.
"it felt like a weekend with family i never knew I had. thank you." Jenny, retreat attendee, Sept 2023
take time to travel and sketch
Immerse yourself in your creativity
BeautIful locations
Each sketching retreat is located in a beautiful environment, suited to the topic being covered - from 4* country hotels in the New Forest, to remote villas in Tuscany. The accommodation will enable you to relax and enjoy your stay. No chores to worry about, you can focus on your creativity, sketching and relaxing. This truly is a sketching experience with a difference.
enjoyable experience
Meet like-minded people who also enjoy sketching and painting. Share in a creative experience, immersing yourself in your sketchbook. You’ll be in a small group, creating together and enjoying downtime - many people make wonderful new friends, share art tips and geek out on new materials. Many retreat attendees book on their own but instantly connect with the group.
creative practice
Each retreat will have a different creative theme and focus. Typically, each day will begin with one of my famous 'sketchbook warm-ups' to get you ready for your day of drawing, sketching or painting. Then throughout the retreat there will be a variety of guided sketching sessions, excursions or discussions exploring the venue and theme. Each retreat is completely unique, yet the same focus on a relaxed creative vibe runs through them all.
sketch together
Enjoyable Experience
I am passionate about cultivating supportive inspiring sketching communities. I have a wonderful online community of sketchers and through these unique sketching retreats, I am sharing this opportunity for an in-person group sketching experience. These truly are sketching experiences with a difference and each retreat and venue is totally unique.
Each time we come together, you get to meet like-minded people who enjoy sketching and painting, share in a creative experience, immersing yourself in your art away from the stresses of daily life. This is the perfect way to take time out and to recharge.
You’ll be in a small group learning together in a fun and supportive way and enjoying well-needed downtime. Groups often make great bonds and often share art tips and materials recommendations (and more!) with each other.
images from previous retreats
reclaim time for yourself
"I cannot thank you both enough. I've refound my art mojo. I have found my confidence just to do it - right or wrong - have a go. I'm inspired so much!" Jane C, Retreat attendee, Sept 2023
Artist, author and online educator
About your host - Susan Yeates
I teach aspiring sketchbook artists just like you, how to live more creatively, re-discover your inner artist, build confidence in drawing, fill sketchbooks and make art you can be proud of.
I’ve worked as a successful professional artist for over 15 years, authored 6 art books including Sketchbook Challenge: 100 Prompts for Daily Drawing, spoken at TedX Woking, been featured on HobbyMaker TV, created over 35 online courses, and taught thousands of aspiring artists sketching and drawing techniques.
For the last few years, sketching on a regular basis those things that I see around me has been my foundation, and underpins all of my creative endeavours. To just grab a pencil and sketch what you see in front of you, wherever you happen to be is such a joy.
I cannot wait to share with you the fun I personally have sketching and doodling everyday objects and items.
At this day-retreat a good friend of mine, Kirsty Grey will also be attending as host and event organiser to ensure the well-being of all guests. Together we will be your team for the day.
What we get up to
Previous retreats
Here are some examples of previous retreats I have hosted.
Sketching the New Forest - Sept 2023
For three days this group explored the beauty of the New Forest landscape in their sketchbook, based at the Forest Park Hotel in Brockenhurst. We played with acrylic paints, studied the tallest redwoods in the forest, sketched the local ponies, looked at colour mixing and even a spot of leaf printing from local ferns. All meals, accommodation and materials were provided. This was a beautiful weekend full of landscape sketching, connection and friendship (and a smattering of the good old Britsh rain!)
Sketching the everyday - Surrey, March 2024
This sketching retreat was hosted in leafy Surrey in the gorgeous Gorse Hill Hotel. We explored sketching warm-ups to understand our materials, sketched small objects, used viewfinders and generally had a giggle whilst sketching in our special studio space. Participants came away with pages of their sketchbooks full and plenty of techniques and inspiration for daily sketching going forwards. The lunch was fabulous and some even stayed for dinner and a spot of pottery painting at Fired Frog Pottery cafe the next day.
